which gun

jake russell

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which is the best gun springfeid xd or the taurus judge or ruger p series guns Thanks Jake
 
That's a really complicated question. What do you plan on using it for?

If you want to shoot snakes, use the Judge. I'm not sold on .410 as a defensive handgun load, however. You only get 3 or 4 pellets of 00 buckshot per shell, and the slugs have much less energy than a decent .45 Colt. If you want to use the .45 Colt, you can get a good revolver with a much smaller cylinder than the Judge, probably for less money.

Both the XD and the Ruger P-series are great guns. I own neither, but wouldn't hesitate to carry either of them. The XD has the edge in ammunition capacity (it's hard to argue with 13+1 in .45ACP). The Ruger is also available with an alloy frame if you don't like polymer. The Ruger is also made in America, and you can probably get it cheaper.

Bottom line, if you want a polymer-frame, striker-fired weapon, the XD is one the best available. If you want to spend a little less and have a hammer-fired weapon with a decocker, go with the Ruger. But don't ignore the other options out there...
 
Your mileage may vary

Personnally, I've never found the Ruger P series to fit my hands all that well. I found the full-sixe XD 45 to be a little large as well, but the mid-size XD40 fit my hands really well. I like firing it much better than the Ruger P-series semiautos that I've fired. I've never tried the Judge, but it looks like a beast to conceal.

If you have larger hands none of this may be an issue to you.
 
I wouldnt let me shoot at me with my P 95. Its anvil tough,dependable as the sunrise. But get what suits you,then learn to shoot it.
 
I bought the XD9 Tactical last July and carried it with me hunting during deer season (not as my primary weapon). I can say nothing bad about this gun. Easy to handle, has not misfired or jammed, and the only time it has not fired when I pulled the trigger was when it was empty. I have found this to be a Great gun. Just my 2 cents worth. Keith
 
P95

I have had a ruger P95 since about 1998. It is the most reliable pistol I have seen, although heavy and chunky for a 9mm. It is the gun I use for newbies just because it is easy shooting and never fails. It has been relegated to home duty just because it is hard to conceal.

The XD pistols have one of the best reputations out there currently, but go for a compact or sub-compact version if you want to carry concealed. They make grip extension magazines if you find the short grip hard to control.

The judge is a gimmic, but people are falling for it. It is a mediocre 45 colt and the .410 is a weak SD load. Maybe there will be some good .410 loads put out due to all the taurus judges people bought.
The Box O' Truth #41 - The Taurus Judge Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1

If you get a judge, be aware of the limitations. Alternating 000 buck and 45 colt would be the best compromise.
 
You really need to purchase and carry what you want. The XD or P95 would be a good choice. Both are tough as nails, easy to operate and reliable. The Judge, while making a fun snake buster with 410 shotshells, is a "fun" gun and somewhat useful in it's place. I have one. AND... I have seen the 410 successfully used in self defense with buckshot, however that was in a shotgun. The short barrel of the Judge, would greatly reduce the velocity and pattern performance of the 410 to about half of its' effectiveness of a full sized shotgun. Buckshot would limit the range and increase the possibilty of stray projectiles missing the target at even reasonably close range. Slugs, while effective would be a moot point. Get a good large caliber revolver instead, if you are going to use slugs or 45 Colt. Standard shot such as #4 or #6's would be poor penetrators on humanoid targets. Then factor in the reduction of performance of the 410 shot shell in a short handgun barrel, and well....... better leave the Judge in the "toy" and "Fun" category.
 
No to 410

The shots on fruit may look good on TV but counting on the low energy of a few 36 cal round balls to stop a BG is not a good idea. I do not have the energy levels handy right now but the 45LC would be a much better man stopper load. Shooting snakes or such is ok but I would not bet my life on a 410 of any kind. You could carry 4 loaded LCPs or 3 LCRs for the same weight as one judge. They are all gimic not function. You will have a hard time trying to carry or conceal this gun. Go with the Sub Compact XD. Here is some interisting info showing the performance of 410 loads. If you need to load for pest like snakes the 38 shot shells works great, I am told that when they (snakes) drop into your boat that the shot will not put a hole in your boat, not sure I want to test this LOL.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm
 
Not that it would be practical for CC, but I wonder how much better the 6" barreled Judge would do. I guess Taurus should just come up with a 28 GA "Supreme Court Justice." :biggrin:
 
I carry the XD-40 and of all my guns, this is my favorite to shoot and the most comfortable to carry. Ruger (I have 2)makes a good weapon but to me, they are not as comfortable to shoot or to get a good hold on. My Sig is just a rock and is my home defense pistol. Both the Springfield and sig are comperable as far as feel and dependability. You could put popcorn in the magazines and they would shoot it! For concealment, the XD-40 (sub compact) just disapears. It is the most fun gun I own. Acurate,low recoil, comfortable and most of all dependable. It conceals well and is very accurate; what more can you ask for. These are my opinions and are based on what I like. go to a range and shoot both of them. Don't listen to me or anyone else on this Forum. You may find something else that feels "right" in your hand. You will know when you pick it up :) Don't worry to much about accuracy. An accurate gun that does not fit your hand will not be as accrate as a less accurate weapon that does. Also, remember, most self defense shots will be around 10 feet or closer so unless you plan on doing a lot of range work, accuracy is secondary to reliability and being the perfect fit for you. If it fits correctly, you will be on target almost everytime so as long as the gun goes Bang when you pull the trigger, you will be good to go

Keep us informed of our decision and good luck!
 
That's a really complicated question. What do you plan on using it for?

If you want to shoot snakes, use the Judge. I'm not sold on .410 as a defensive handgun load, however. You only get 3 or 4 pellets of 00 buckshot per shell, and the slugs have much less energy than a decent .45 Colt. If you want to use the .45 Colt, you can get a good revolver with a much smaller cylinder than the Judge, probably for less money.

Both the XD and the Ruger P-series are great guns. I own neither, but wouldn't hesitate to carry either of them. The XD has the edge in ammunition capacity (it's hard to argue with 13+1 in .45ACP). The Ruger is also available with an alloy frame if you don't like polymer. The Ruger is also made in America, and you can probably get it cheaper.

Bottom line, if you want a polymer-frame, striker-fired weapon, the XD is one the best available. If you want to spend a little less and have a hammer-fired weapon with a decocker, go with the Ruger. But don't ignore the other options out there...
I have a Taurus Judge Ultra-light. It makes a great self defense weapon. I think it is a better choice to use it as a home weapon with other gun options as a carry but you could carry this. A little large to conceal easily. 3"barrel but that longer cylinder adds to the size. ++++ It's fun to shoot!
Stopping power? You have to shoot the thing and see for yourself. The .45 long Colt is a pretty large caliber. The .410 works just great. I find the Federal self defense .410 in #4 shot works well but the 000 buckshot is amazing. In either case those loads for self defense are devastating.
You can ever use both in the cylinder at same time. Maybe the first shot is the .45 colt. followed by three .410 then another .45. You can decide for yourself depending on your own personal tactical theory.
 
I have a Taurus Judge Ultra-light. It makes a great self defense weapon. I think it is a better choice to use it as a home weapon with other gun options as a carry but you could carry this. A little large to conceal easily. 3"barrel but that longer cylinder adds to the size. ++++ It's fun to shoot!
Stopping power? You have to shoot the thing and see for yourself. The .45 long Colt is a pretty large caliber. The .410 works just great. I find the Federal self defense .410 in #4 shot works well but the 000 buckshot is amazing. In either case those loads for self defense are devastating.
You can ever use both in the cylinder at same time. Maybe the first shot is the .45 colt. followed by three .410 then another .45. You can decide for yourself depending on your own personal tactical theory.
I get what you're saying, and I imagine that it does do quite a number on pumpkins or watermelons. But given the testing linked to further up the thread, until I see real ballistics data, (or a real life self defense story) I'm going to have to lean on the "not that great for SD" side. That's not to say that I would want to get shot by the thing. I just want to know that it will stop whatever crazed being I deploy it against.
 
which is the best gun springfeid xd or the taurus judge or ruger p series guns Thanks Jake

Don't know.

What are you gonna use what I choose for and how well can you shoot all of the options you gave?

You're talkin' about 3 completely different guns- a BIG DA wheelgun, a striker fired semi auto and a whole series of pistols available with traditional DA/SA and DAO options with a couple different frame options including metal and polymer and a bunch of different caliber options (9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP are the most common but I've actually seen a P-89 in .30 Luger).

I don't mean to sound like a smart alec, but the question is about like walking into Baskin-Robbins during lunch rush and asking what's the best flavor to order.
 
I have a Taurus Judge Ultra-light. It makes a great self defense weapon. I think it is a better choice to use it as a home weapon with other gun options as a carry but you could carry this. A little large to conceal easily. 3"barrel but that longer cylinder adds to the size. ++++ It's fun to shoot!
Stopping power? You have to shoot the thing and see for yourself. The .45 long Colt is a pretty large caliber. The .410 works just great. I find the Federal self defense .410 in #4 shot works well but the 000 buckshot is amazing. In either case those loads for self defense are devastating.
You can ever use both in the cylinder at same time. Maybe the first shot is the .45 colt. followed by three .410 then another .45. You can decide for yourself depending on your own personal tactical theory.

Capgun,
Don't bet on a JHP from that short barrel Judge working as advertised. You don't have enough barrel to generate enough velocity to get them to work reliably. I tried a maximum charge of HP-38 and Bullseye under a 200gr bullet in .44 Special (which is about equivalent to a .45 Colt velocity wise) out of a 3" barrel and never got better than 700fps at the muzzle as per my Pact chronograph. I was getting gas cutting and leading the barrel up REALLY bad with lead bullets, but no meaningful increase in velocity and the jacketed rounds were no better. I quickly dropped using the .44 Special 200gr Silvertip and went to the Federal .44 Special 200gr LSWC-HP (an unjacketed semi wad cutter hollow point) because it's made with a very soft alloy and soft lead WILL expand better than the jacketed round will at those velocities.

In a 3" .45 Colt, I'd find an unjacketed round to use. Federal makes the all lead SWC-HP in a 225gr for the .45 Colt and there's lighter weight rounds out on the market as well. Going to a 185gr may help but you still only can do so much with a short barrel.
 
Capgun,
Don't bet on a JHP from that short barrel Judge working as advertised. You don't have enough barrel to generate enough velocity to get them to work reliably. I tried a maximum charge of HP-38 and Bullseye under a 200gr bullet in .44 Special (which is about equivalent to a .45 Colt velocity wise) out of a 3" barrel and never got better than 700fps at the muzzle as per my Pact chronograph. I was getting gas cutting and leading the barrel up REALLY bad with lead bullets, but no meaningful increase in velocity and the jacketed rounds were no better. I quickly dropped using the .44 Special 200gr Silvertip and went to the Federal .44 Special 200gr LSWC-HP (an unjacketed semi wad cutter hollow point) because it's made with a very soft alloy and soft lead WILL expand better than the jacketed round will at those velocities.

In a 3" .45 Colt, I'd find an unjacketed round to use. Federal makes the all lead SWC-HP in a 225gr for the .45 Colt and there's lighter weight rounds out on the market as well. Going to a 185gr may help but you still only can do so much with a short barrel.
I'd be inclined to agree with you. I just think at the shorter range that this gun is good for that a lighter JHP long colt.45 would do the trick. Plus I like the way I can mix it up in the same cylinder with the .410.
My main street carry would be H&K USP compact in .40
 
Personal testing useing stacked paper has shown the Judge with a 410 oo buck in it is not a threat stopping rd, unless your literaly on top of the guy, the short barrel will give insuficent velocity to be instantly lethal, the 45 colt is a better choice rd, even at that it would be a short range deal, in some case's 00 buck mostly bounce's off a car's front or rear window, here again unless your on top of what your shooting at, the 45 cartridge will give you a bit more range, honestly can not rec for a carry/defence weapon, go with a 45acp 40 S&W or 9mm all of which make better self defence weapons
 
Personal testing useing stacked paper has shown the Judge with a 410 oo buck in it is not a threat stopping rd, unless your literaly on top of the guy, the short barrel will give insuficent velocity to be instantly lethal, the 45 colt is a better choice rd, even at that it would be a short range deal, in some case's 00 buck mostly bounce's off a car's front or rear window, here again unless your on top of what your shooting at, the 45 cartridge will give you a bit more range, honestly can not rec for a carry/defence weapon, go with a 45acp 40 S&W or 9mm all of which make better self defence weapons

The issue the .45 Colt has in use as a self defense round is that there is a serious lack of self defense ammunition available for it. Basically, there's the 225gr Winchester Silvertip, the Federal 225gr Lead SWC-HP and Corbon has a 200gr JHP available and that's it. A 225gr .452 diameter bullet doing 800-900fps (from a 4-5 inch barrel) is going to be close enough to ballistically identical to standard pressure 230gr .45 ACP that it will be indistinguishable. Same diameter, same weight (a 5gr variance in pistol bullets isn't unusual), same velocity. The big issue with using .45 Colt in the Judge is the fact that you have so much freebore (a 1.60" cartridge being fired in a chamber cut for a 2 1/2" or 3" cartridge) before the bullet hits the chamber throat and forcing cone and you have such a short barrel. No matter what particular load you put into it, that freebore isn't going to help and the short barrel means that you simply don't that the in barrel time to build the velocity. The same holds true for all short barreled pistols no matter what round they are chambered for. One inch less barrel means 50 to 150 fps of loss velocity as a rule of thumb.
 
I feel like the Judge is a fun gimmick weapon ... something I my buy someday when I get all the "serious" guns I want to buy. I have two Ruger P series pistols in 95mm and love them both, the P89 and the polymer framed P95. That said and limiting the choices to the three you mentioned, I'd go with the Springfield XD just because I'm always hearing so much good about it.

That said, I actually own Glocks as my defense weapons, G19 for home and G26 to carry. I went that route for several reasons but since they were not on your list ...
 

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